The value of music education – Our members’ view
What does music education for everyone look like? And what can Making Music and its members do to make it happen?
In 2018, we consulted our member groups for their views on music education for all ages, and since then have used their views and concerns to direct our work. On music education for under-18s, members were concerned that young people now do not have the opportunities they once did, which have enabled them to spend a lifetime enjoying making music, with all the well-researched benefits to their individual well-being and that of their communities. Cost, members felt, was the biggest barrier for under-18s. Our survey also asked about music education for over-18s, and the biggest issue was identified as confidence.
Adult Music Learning Manifesto
In September 2019 and again in January 2020, Making Music brought together individuals from across the music sector to focus on adult music learning. We focussed on identifying the barriers and needs of adult music learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and how we can improve their access to active engagement with music. From this we wrote the Adult Learning Manifesto with 3 key visions:
A) Every adult in the UK is able to actively participate in music: access & inclusion
B) Adult music learning is supported with infrastructure, information, recognition
C) Under-18s education encourages lifelong music-making
Read the manifesto Adult Music Learning Manifesto 2020 | Making Music
Read about the process The shape and future of adult music learning | Making Music
Music education for under-18s in the UK nations
Scotland - Making Music is a member of the Music Education Partnership Group which advocates for excellent music education in Scotland in all its forms, and bring together a wide range of partners, from schools and local authorities, universities and higher education, community music groups and professional music organisations. We have supported the MEPG on various initiatives and projects including the successful campaign to have fees removed for all instrumental tuition in Scottish schools.
England - For under-18s, music subject associations Music Mark and ISM champion this cause and the Music Education Council also convenes seminars on various aspects of this topic. A National Plan for Music Education, The Power of Music to Change Lives, was published in 2023 by the previous government. In 2025 the UK Government announced plans for a National Centre for Arts and Music Education - due to launch in September 2026
Wales - Following the report by the Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Welsh Language and Communications, Hitting The Right Note, the Welsh Government published a National Plan for Music Education in 2022 and committed additional funding to implement this.
Northern Ireland - An audit of music education resulted in The Arts Council of Northern Ireland publishing a Youth Music Strategy and Five-Year Action Plan in 2022.
Research and reports
Some of the most recent reports on music education in the UK and research to support campaigning on this issue
Research - Making Music report ABRSM, 2025
Facing The Music: Meeting the ambitions of the National Plan for Music Education | Music Mark Music Mark, 2025
Sound of The Next Generation 2024 | Youth Music Youth Music, 2024
Music: A subject in peril? ISM, 2022
More on music education
We provide support, resources and a community for leisure-time music groups across the UK.